This episode of Congress in Context examines the intense legislative friction of March 20, 2026, as the 119th Congress faces a prolonged funding stalemate that has left the Department of Homeland Security and its 260,000 employees without pay. We dive into the Senate’s heated debate over the SAVE America Act, exploring the clash between Republican efforts to mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration and Democratic arguments that the bill constitutes a "voter purge". The episode further unpacks the "collective punishment" of holding TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard funding hostage over deep disagreements regarding ICE reforms and border enforcement. Additionally, we analyze the broader geopolitical and social tensions reflected in the Record, from the economic fallout of the  ...